Takahashi Qoro was shocked and doubtful. The current Eighth Route Army had really changed a shotgun for a cannon.
He had served in artillery and infantry before, and later served as the infantry captain of the Fourth Brigade, fighting many times with the Eighth Route Army.
Because of his outstanding performance, he was promoted to combat staff officer and captain of Taiyuan Military Police by Yoshio Shinozuka.
In previous battles, when were the Japanese artillery fire suppressing the eight-pronged attack?
Times are changing so fast?
Under the powerful artillery fire, the defensive civil fortifications that had not been completed in a hurry overnight quickly collapsed under the attack of the Eighth Route Army's artillery fire.
Along with the fire and smoke of the explosion, stumps and broken arms continued to fly up.
Since the headquarters is relatively far back, Takahashi Koro is temporarily safe.
The Eighth Route Army's artillery shells landed very accurately, basically falling on the position and its surroundings.
It was precisely because he had served as an artilleryman that Takahashi Seiro was stunned.
Judging from the trajectories of the artillery shells, the Eighth Route Army's mountain artillery and howitzer positions were at least 3 kilometers away, and at this distance, coupled with the darkness of the night, they were firing.
The Eighth Route Artillery did not test fire in advance, but covered it with firepower as soon as it came up...
Are the artillerymen of the Eighth Route Army so well-qualified?
"Your Majesty Lieutenant Colonel?"
The major adjutant on the side shouted anxiously.
Could it be that he was frightened by the intensive artillery fire from the Eighth Route Army?
"Huh?" Takahashi Qoro quickly recovered from his daze and regained his cold expression. The commander must not panic. Once the commander panics, the morale of the army will be chaotic.
With such an intensive shelling, it is impossible to block the eight-pronged offensive with the fortifications that have not yet been completed.
All I can do now is ask for tactical guidance.
He would not dare to order a retreat without authorization, if he would lose his position without authorization.
He had to have his belly opened to apologize, and no one could save him.
Takahashi Qoro climbed out of the foxhole, rolled into the headquarters, picked up the phone and called for help from Taiyuan City: "Moxi Moxi, this is Takahashi Qoro, am I Mr. Kasai, the defense line of Xiaodian Town encountered an enemy
Intensive artillery fire, request commander for tactical guidance!"
"Nani, how many troops are there on the Eighth Route Army?" Kasai Toshimatsu asked on the phone.
"Judging from the density of the Eighth Route Army's shelling, it must be the main force of the Eighth Route Army, probably tens of thousands of people!" Takahashi Qoro said in a hurry.
Ten Thousand Eighth Route Army, Takahashi Qoro didn't think that his own small force and no danger to defend could stop Ten Thousand Eighth Route Army's attack, so he could only quickly request reinforcements.
Those Japanese military officers who despised the Eighth Route Army, believed that the Eighth Route Army was vulnerable, and regarded themselves as gods of war, such as Kuroshima Morita, Yamazaki Yeping, etc. The grass on their graves has grown very tall.
…
Taiyuan.
Japanese First Army Headquarters.
Yoshio Shinozuka, who was on duty during the war, stayed up all night and was preparing to sleep for a while.
The Ministry of Communications reported that an eight-pronged attack on the Japanese defense line appeared in the direction of Xiaodian Town and has been repelled so far.
After hearing the news, Yoshio Shinozuka suddenly lost all sleep, and an unpleasant feeling suddenly surged in his heart.
"Report to the general."
The telephone connecting Xiaodian Town's defense line was moved from the communications room to the war room.
Communications Staff Officer Toshimatsu Kasai personally answered the phone, then covered the phone and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Takahashi reported that the Xiaodian Town defense line was intensively bombarded by the Eighth Route Army. Based on the intensity of the bombardment, it was the main force of the Eighth Route Army, and there may be tens of thousands of people!"
Yoshio Shinozuka suddenly felt his heart sinking.
Where did these tens of thousands of soldiers come from? Could it be that the main force of more than 30,000 soldiers heading north from the Heliao Highway is fake?
According to pre-war estimates, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi should be around 50,000 to 60,000, and the number of militiamen may be hundreds of thousands.
However, most of the militiamen only had one gun and no combat effectiveness. Even the regular army of the Imperial Army could easily deal with it. The real threat to the Japanese army was the main force of the Eighth Route Army.
The main force of 50,000 to 68,000...
Did the Eighth Route Army divide these main forces into three parts?
Looking at it this way, the real main force in Xiangyuan, Licheng, and the Eighth Route heading north from the Heliao Highway is by no means as many as 30,000, and many of them are fake militiamen.
The thought flashed through Yoshio Shinozuka's mind, and Toshimatsu Kasai continued: "Lieutenant Colonel Takahashi requested tactical guidance."
Shinozuka Yoshio said: "Order Takahashi-kun to hold the defense line of Xiaodian Town at all costs and buy time for Taiyuan defense preparations."
"Hi!" Kasai Toshiatsu let go of the microphone and gave Kasai Toshiatsu an order.
As soon as the call was hung up, the Wusu Airport emergency call came in again.
When the New Regiment attacked the Japanese defense line in Xiaodian Town, Kong Jie led the second attack group to simultaneously launch a ferocious attack on Wusu Airport.
Although there are many bunkers and gun towers around the airport, there is no artillery support from mountain guns and howitzers.
However, the second attack group was equipped with more than 30 Type 92 infantry guns and more than 80 machine guns.
Whether it is a Type 92 infantry gun or a machine gun, it can deal with the enemy's gun towers and bunkers.
Yoshio Shinozuka's orders are still adhered to.
After Kasai Toshimatsu hung up the phone, Shinozuka Yoshio said again: "Kasai-kun, immediately order the 3rd brigade defending the North Tongpu Railway to go south to reinforce Taiyuan."
"Hi!" Kasai Toshiatsu lowered his head, then turned his head back upright, but stopped talking.
"Kasai-kun, do you have something to say?"
"Hey, general, Taiyuan is no longer safe. For the general's safety, I suggest that the general take a flight to Datong to command the battle!"
Shinozuka Yoshio took a deep breath and patted Kasai Toshimatsu on the shoulder: "Kasai-kun, I accept your kindness, but if I escape alone, the morale of the Imperial Army and Imperial Alliance Army defending the city will inevitably be affected, so
I will never leave, I just need to wait for the 3rd brigade to arrive to relieve the siege."
More than half an hour ago, the headquarters had received a report from the 2nd Guards Division, which had engaged in firefights with the Eighth Route North along the Heliao Highway, and the railway was cut off.
Therefore, the 2nd Guards Division cannot rush to Taiyuan for the time being, and the 37th Division is even less likely to withdraw.
Moreover, Yoshio Shinozuka estimated that the main force of the Eighth Route Army attacking Taiyuan would only be between 10,000 and less than 20,000 at most.
As there were 12,000 Japanese troops and the Imperial Alliance Army stationed in Taiyuan, the Eighth Route Army was probably just bluffing, playing a trick of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao, and it was unlikely that they could really capture Taiyuan.
At this time, the Eighth Route Army was still attacking Xiaodian Town and Wusu Airport, and Xincheng Airport outside the north of the city was still in use.
If Yoshio Shinozuka chooses to avoid the spotlight temporarily, he can take a flight to Datong, Changzhi, Yuncheng or Xinxiang Airport.
However, Yoshio Shinozuka resolutely chose to fight head-on.
Yoshio Shinozuka added: "In addition, Mr. Kasai, order the 32nd Flying Group of the Kwantung Army to immediately take off to reinforce Taiyuan and find and destroy the Eighth Route Army's artillery!"
By the time the attack planes and fighter jets arrived over Xiaodian Town, it was probably not long before dawn.
The area within ten kilometers of Xiaodian Town is flat and there is no obstruction to hide the cannons. The artillery and artillerymen of the Eighth Route Army have no way to hide under the planes.
A sneer appeared on the corner of Shinozuka Yoshio's mouth. Without cannons, how could the Eighth Route Army attack the city?
…
Taking advantage of the intensive shelling, the attacking troops of the infantry battalions of the New Regiment had reached 80 meters of the Japanese defense line in Xiaodian Town.
This is a safer location.
If you go any further, you may be accidentally injured by your own artillery shells.
Since it was night and the Japanese and puppet troops were under shelling, they didn't notice that the Eighth Route Army had sneaked up.
"Report to the commander-in-chief that the first battalion has arrived at the attack position!"
"The second battalion has arrived at the attack position!"
"The third battalion has arrived at the attack position!"
"The fourth battalion has arrived at the attack position!"
The battalion commanders of the New Regiment reported to Li Yunlong using low-power walkie-talkies.
"As soon as the artillery fire stops, don't give the Japanese and puppet troops time to breathe. Immediately press on the labor and management!"
Li Yunlong looked at the Japanese and puppet army positions that had almost turned into a sea of fire in front of him, and spoke in a cold tone.
Later, Li Yunlong put down the low-power walkie-talkie and picked up the high-power walkie-talkie: "I am Li Yunlong, give me an order to stop the shelling immediately, stop the shelling immediately!"
Shortly after Li Yunlong finished speaking, the whistling sound of artillery shells in the sky gradually decreased until finally disappearing completely.
Soon, the explosions like landslides and earth-shattering on the Japanese positions in front disappeared, replaced by overwhelming shouts of killing.
"kill!"
"Go into Taiyuan and capture Yoshio Shinozuka alive!"
"rush!"
Accompanied by the sound of charging horns and shouts of charging, the soldiers at the front of the Japanese position jumped to their feet.
It was already dawn, and it was still a while before dawn. However, through the Zeiss telescope, Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang saw a new group of soldiers roaring up, and the gray waves swept towards the Japanese and puppet army positions.
As the soldiers sprinted, submachine guns and light machine guns and semi-automatic rifles opened fire at the same time, forming a dense fire net. The Japanese and puppet fortifications were beaten into smoke and dust under the dense rain of bullets.
Even if the Japanese and puppet troops fought back with light and heavy machine guns, the firepower was quickly suppressed. The Japanese and puppet troops had never seen this kind of fighting method before, and they were immediately stunned.
At a distance of 30 meters, the bombing team threw grenades at the Japanese position.
Suddenly, blazing red fireballs erupted from the Japs' position amid dense explosions. Troops surged onto the position like a tide amid the dense explosions.
The remaining Japanese howled and fought back, and both sides fired at each other without any protection. Some Japanese even came up with rifles ready to bayonet.
However, the firepower of the main infantry battalion of the new regiment cannot be matched by the enemy. The light machine guns and submachine guns are spitting out tongues of fire, and the enemy falls one by one...
The remaining puppet troops either pretended to be dead or ran away with oil on their feet, turned around and ran towards Taiyuan.
The Japanese and puppet army's defense line quickly collapsed in the face of the powerful artillery fire and the new regiment, and the entire line collapsed.
Ten minutes later, it was already dark, and each battalion commander reported on the walkie-talkie that the enemy position had been captured and asked whether to pursue.
Li Yunlong immediately ordered the infantry battalion to get out of the way and sent the cavalry battalion to pursue the escaping Japanese and puppet troops.
"Chief of Staff Wang!" Li Yunlong shouted without looking back.
"Here we come!" Wang Dehou ran over and straightened his body and said.
Li Yunlong said: "Send a report to the headquarters immediately. The Taihang 3rd Column captured the Japanese and puppet army positions 10 kilometers south of Taiyuan City, annihilating 2,000 Japanese troops and 3,000 puppet troops. Each attack group is outflanking Taiyuan City. It is estimated that it will take 2 hours.
Then they completely surrounded Taiyuan City."
"Yes!" Wang Dehou finished recording and quickly walked towards the radio station and telegraph operator.
Xing Zhiguo on the side saw the terrifying combat power of the new regiment for the first time, and his expression was shocked. The momentum of the charge just now was definitely not comparable to that of ordinary elite troops.
It is definitely an aura possessed by an ace unit.
Soon, the new regiment won the first battle and a telegram was sent to the headquarters stating that 5,000 enemies were wiped out.
After the chief of staff finished reading, the headquarters burst into cheers and thunderous applause.